Soft Pastel on Canvas, no glass

There was a conversation on wetcanvas.com recently about a way to frame pastels without glass. It doesn't appear to be possible in their regular state. Bill Creevy did a demonstration at the International Association of Pastel Societies convention in 1999 (I think it was) in Albuquerque. You use PVA Size made by Gamblin. As I recall you put about a teaspoon of size in a cup of water. You begin by putting your pastel drawing on the canvas, then spray with the mixture. When dry you put another layer of pastel and spray again, continuing until you have the desired completion of your painting. He did a pear on a shelf. The water ran down, streaked the canvas, and he speeded up the drying time with a hair dryer. His painting lacked detail but was very nice.

In his book,The Pastel Book Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist, he doesn't seem to use this method, but he uses acrylic medium mixed with pastel to give texture and permanent fixing. It is a great book for pastelists. Many ideas, demonstrations and information about soft pastels and oil pastels.

I couldn't wait to try The PVA and completed the boots and spurs below. It looks much like an oil painting and the pastel does not rub off. These probably have about 30 layers. Fun to do and framed like an oil painting. I guess in reality it is like an acrylic painting, right?

Paperwork Day, Golf in Bastrop

Gene framed the paintings to take to Magdalena on Friday. We are taking Peppers Window, Adobe Memories (the adobe house) and Tres Casas. He was busy for a while. I worked on updating my web page and my art data base. There is so much paperwork trying to keep track of the paintings. I need to keep the mailing lists, brochures, cards and sales current and up to date. Sales Tax in Texas is due January 20. Ah, when painting becomes work!

This is a snapshot of my corner at Peppers when my show was on exhibit in June. I still have about ten paintings there.



The weather here was gorgeous today. I think it was at least 75 degrees F. We golfed this morning. We started about 10:30 a.m. about two holes behind the Seniors. They golf at Bastrop State Park, Lost Pines on alternate Wednesdays. The other Wednesday they play at Pine Forrest along the Colorado River. We walk nine holes at Lost Pines several times a week. Play was better today than it was yesterday. Here is Gene who happened to be in the shot of the beautiful oak leaves this year.



There is lots of color at the moment. A shot of the back yard as well.

Tribute to our Military Heroes

I've see this a couple of times, and it is very touching.

Keep them in our hearts for Christmas and the Holidays.

Tres Casas - Pastel Painting

I finished this and took photos of several paintings this morning. These houses bring back such memories. The walls of our adobe house in Magdalena where we lived when I was small were about two feet thick. I could sit in the window like a window seat. The house stayed warm in the winter and cool in the summer. We did have a wood stove and fireplaces for heat. My dad would get up early and build a fire on cold days so it would be warm when we got up. I do not miss the cold at all. :)

These paintings of the houses will be at Peppers Art Gallery in Magdalena, New Mexico after Saturday. We are going to deliver them. It will be colder there than here in Texas, but it doesn't look like the weather will be bad.

I hope to get a good photo of the St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. I painted the Kelly church many times, but not the Magdalena church. We shall see.

The details on this painting are: pastel on Art Spectrum pastel card, 9 x 12 inches, framed in black frame with white mat. I reposted this as I forgot to mention that I did an underpainting with pastel and alcohol in orange, red and purple. This is so much nicer that starting on a stark white surface. You don't mind messing up, as it is already messed up. Ha.

You can check out more about Magdalena on my page with links to other pages.

Acrylic Painting Adobe House

The adobe house acrylic painting is done. It is 11 x 14 on canvas attached to panel. I use acrylic like oil paint. You have to work fast if you want to blend. This painting will be available in Magdalena at Peppers Gallery.

This summer of 2006, was one of the few times you will see that much green in Magdalena, New Mexico. The old houses fascinate me. Real estate prices are through the roof, like most places I suppose. I don't understand why in such a small town with no amenities. Hmmmm.




The close up is to show some of the texture, built up with a palette knife. It was fun to do this painting.